Automated nautical data and charting development

The National Ocean Service (NOS) is beginning the development and implementation of an automated system of nautical data evaluation, database administration, and nautical chart production. This system, the Automated Nautical Charting System II (ANCS II), represents NOS' next generation of automation of the cartographic processes involving nautical data. The ANCS II will be utilized to evaluate and select data from the many types and forms of source information received and to interactively apply those data to a geographic, product-independent database. Data will be drawn from this database and applied to a logically separate database which will be used to produce approximately 1000 NOS paper nautical charts. In addition, the system must support requests for digital chart products. A functional overview of ANCS II is given, and hardware and software features are described.<>